LOCATION: London
What's happening?
Really wanted to hit the eastern coastline because we will be spending lots of time in the west soon. Plotted our journey to take us on the local trains to Strafdord International and then hitched a ride on the SouthEastern Fast train to take us to Dover.
The Adventure
That fast train only runs every hour so did need to coordinate our timings because we had dinner date in the evening with @Leah and @Ali. Best bit was that we were set up in air conditioned comfort for the 100 mph (yes, that is miles per hour) two hour whiz through the English countryside. The temperature outside continued to climb up into the mid thirties and train lines were literally buckling in some areas and numerous lines were closing.
No worries for us - we did the combo of bus, tube and SouthEastern line to make the journey.
Dover was beautiful. We walked from the train to the harbour. Water was clear and blue. Cruise ship was in, people were both in the water and stretched out on the pebbly shoreline.
@Carolyn and @Grant are pulling up in a cruise ship in a few days so we left them a little bundle of #Fab5 rocks to find! Should be easy - it is right next to the DeFib right at the end of Waterloo Street.
Joined a steady stream of walkers along the Dame Vera Lyn Way for a closer look at the cliffs. And yes, absolutely stark white chalk cliffs reaching straight up for 100 metres! It was a clear day but from our vantage point we could not spot France across the Channel.
There was not a breath of breeze coming off the ocean and on the white concrete, under the white cliffs, we were scorched. I am admitting, I was the weakest link and after 2.9 kms out and ANOTHER flight of steps, I declared that the height of the cliffs was something I was just going to have to imagine.
Retraced our steps and pulled up for lunch. Fought the seagulls for possession of our food and following the advice of a local we did select a seagull proof table.
I wandered the Mall for some shopping and @Mac pulled up a seat in a pub for a very cheap double rum and coke.
Hit the rewind button and did it all in reverse to be on time at 6 pm at Seven Kings station to meet up with @Leah and @Ali.
Admitting that I was little nervous all afternoon because the arrangement was that we would be picked up at Seven Kings station. I sort of got myself in a little paranoid tizz- hadn’t ever thought @Leah and @Ali had a car but knew they were mad keen cyclists. Not sure how many times, as we walked under the white cliffs, in an addled brain heat phase, that I said to @WJMac “I don’t think I can throw my leg over a bike for a doubler home!”
Think my biggest smile of the day was reserved for when @Ali pulled up with a Mercedes!!!!! No need to throw any legs over anything.
This was our first visit to their beautiful three story terrace home. Absolute magic to enter that doorway and see these incredible spaces unfold. They look so small from the outside but are spacious, all white and wood with towering steps and ceilings inside. So much clever storage, the best kitchen with every gadget, breakfast room, dining room, lounge room and a door that throws open to a balcony and long, inviting garden with paving stones to the “bike shed.”
Upstairs to spaces that have been tailored to meet their lifestyle. Main bedroom, office space, dressing room, bathroom, Pilates room and office nook and then a final climb to an attic office and a gym.
All of this in that perfect little midway point between the quiet of the country and the hustle, bustle and energy of London.
Dinner was at a local, accessed via drive through wooded English country lane ways. They knew every turn and laneway because it is home to their cycling club and this route is part of their regular weekend bikeway. Still relieved I was in the comfort of the car, because I th8nk I did see at least 8 bikes at their place - and none of them had a seat that would have been retrievable if I had sat on it!
The restaurant had been selected because it was air conditioned and it had fish and chips on the menu. We settled in for waaayyy wwwwaaaayyyy too much food constantly encouraged to try the next something by @Leah, @Ali and the extremely attentive waitress. Did our best to catch up on 12 months of news and highlights before stretching out on the “moon lounge” in the garden. Can’t quite get our heads around enjoying twilight at 10.30 at night.
We only had one job to do during the visit and that was to take lots of photos for the crew back home. Big fail. We were so caught up in the moment and the company and all the stuff to see …. our happy people snaps amounted to a grand total of TWO.
Finally realised that it was late , and after a little late night stalking drive by with @Ali of his relatives’homes, did the Elizabeth Line/Jubilee Line/188 bus and then the last 200 metre walk home . You’d think by this time it would be cooler. Think again. You’d think by this time you’d have the trains to yourself. Think again. We were cheek to jowl with thousands of concert goers piling out of Harry Styles and Take That concerts. You didn’t need a seat. The crush of the crowd on the Jubilee Line held you upright in your standing position - and it was stifling in the non air conditioned coach. @Mac had puddles of perspiration dripping down to his elbow as he held the strap overhead. Poor short people below him thought the roof was leaking.
Turned on the fan in our top floor room and it registered the current temperature of the room at 32 degrees. Cold showers gave momentary relief and apparently, just one more day of this to go!
We had left just before 9 this morning and climbed our stairs just before midnight. Lots of ticks for this day.
PS For sister Vicki - whenever he saw a KENT sign, called out "Tickner, MacNamara." Got absolutely zero response. Couldn't find a relative - but he tried 😅🤣😂 Think he was hoping hed find someone in the pub.
Survival Barometer
Steps: 17 639
Weather: yep, continue s to be hot - public transport - can’t put a number on the temp! 35 degrees
Can you believe that?
A little background from Co-Pilot.
🧪 The cliffs are made of trillions of microscopic skeletons
Each chunk of chalk is basically a compressed graveyard of coccolithophores — tiny algae with ornate calcium shells. When they died, their bodies rained down to the seafloor in such ridiculous quantities that they built cliffs hundreds of feet high.
It’s essentially a 90‑million‑year‑old biological skyscraper.
🌊 The cliffs were once underwater — in a tropical sea
Dover was part of a warm, shallow ocean during the Late Cretaceous. Think Bahamas, but with dinosaurs. The chalk formed quietly beneath waves that would have been teeming with mosasaurs and ammonites.
🦋 The cliffs glow under UV lightChalk fluoresces. Under ultraviolet light, the cliffs emit a ghostly blue‑white glow — like a natural blacklight poster.
It’s subtle, but eerie. I'd LOVE to see that.
"Yes, I think those cliffs were this high!"
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